Is regionalism possible, or just a convenient fiction? Are there good examples of where regional collaboration – especially for economic development – has succeeded? This workshop, held during the NCACC's 2012 Annual Conference, provided planning guidance on the broader climate for economic development on the state and national levels. Presenters introduced case studies of communities that have successfully organized around regional economic development goals, including university collaboration, transportation and infrastructure projects, and target industry recruitment. Take-aways included how to avoid pitfalls common to regionalism, discerning strategies that are effective for a region to achieve economic development goals, and understanding how larger trends influence local planning.

1. The Myth of Regionalism
Jon Roberts, Principal at TIP Strategies
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Annual Conference, August 17, 2012

2. what is regionalism?

3. FLICKR & TWITTER ACTIVITY

4. STATE MAP

5. COUNTY MAP

6. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

7. POPULATION DENSITY (2010 CENSUS)

8. 16 REGIONAL COUNCILS

9. NCDOT: METRO & RURAL PLANNING ORGS
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING BRANCH

10. RIVER BASINS

11. SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

12. COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE
RAIN, HAIL, AND SNOW NETWORK
REGIONS

13. WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

14. ABC DISTRICTS

15. NC HOUSE DISTRICTS (2011)

16. NC SENATE DISTRICTS (2011)

17. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS (2011)

18. state context

19. TOTAL UNEMPLOYED (NC)
439
thousand
unemployed

20. THE JOBS CYCLE

21. EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY SECTOR (NC)
Since 1990, total manufacturing employment
has fallen by 390 thousand
health services and professional & business services are
major employment drivers

22. INDUSTRY SHARE OF EMPLOYMENT (NC)
This chart provides greater context for employment
changes by comparing
the share of all jobs in North Carolina
Manufacturing dropped from
26% to 11% of all jobs in 20 years.

23. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY COUNTY
June 2006 June 2009
Unemployment rates remain elevated across
most of the state with only slight improvement
around Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham.
June 2012

24. METRO EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
Only Charlotte and Raleigh are
showing clear signs of recovery.

25. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS ELSEWHERE
More rural areas were hit by the
recession even harder.

26. POPULATION PROJECTION, 2010-2020
Growth is expected to be
concentrated around
Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, and
the southeastern coast.
Source: North Carolina State Data Center

27. NC LABOR MARKET WILL TIGHTEN
Growth is expected to be
concentrated around
Charlotte, Raleigh, Ashville, and the
southeastern coast.

28. Are there good examples of where regional
collaboration - especially for economic
development - has succeeded?

29. Where is regionalism most relevant?
What are the pitfalls associated with
regionalism, and how can they be avoided?
What strategies are effective in helping a
region reach economic development goals?
How do larger trends influence local planning?

30. CASES FOR A REGIONAL APPROACH
1. University collaboration
2. Transportation & infrastructure projects
3. Healthcare and medical services
4. Marketing/target industry recruitment

31. Racine County, WI
• Committed to a vision of the
Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor
• Economic inter-connectedness.
• Starting work on version 6.O of
the plan.

32. Tupelo, MS
• Since 1950, the
community
development
foundation has
invested in 10-year
strategic plans.
• Known for the
“Tupelo Miracle”
• Embracing
sustainability

33. Round Rock, TX
Committed to higher
education and medical as
a focal point for future
economic development.
Created an economic
engine of their own.
Not content to be a
suburb of Austin.

34. discussion

35. thank you
TIP STRATEGIES, INC.
106 East 6th Street, Ste. 550
Austin, TX 78701
512.343.9113
tipstrategies.com